Finals

The past week has seen Rakeb consumed in making up missing assignments and studying for finals. This coming week is the last week of her first semester, and she is feeling the pressure to say the least. Nothing like having to maintain a C average to keep your visa while dealing with courses like Advanced Algebra, Honors Biology, US History, Spanish, and two Lit classes. So send good vibes her way this week, as the only thing keeping her sane right now is the fact that we are heading out for a two week vacation when she finishes.

Don't let the smile fool you. Finals are stressful!

iEmpathize

As many of you know, I work for an organization called iEmpathize. We are working to eradicate child exploitation and sex trafficking. Every day I am surrounded by stories of neglect, abuse, and victimization that are happening here in the United States, and Colorado. It breaks my heart, and that is why I  must do something to respond.

Being responsible for a beautiful 18-year old girl, while being so aware of the dangers that she intersects with at school, in malls, online, etc... is completely humbling! I am probably a bit overprotective because of my line of work, so my best attempt to help Rakeb understand that is to drag her to as many iEmpathize events as I can to hear for herself what threats are out there, and how she can avoid them.

Amanda, Rakeb, & I at the most recent iEmpathize event

Blurred Lines

I got to know Rakeb as a friend in Ethiopia. I did what I could to inspire her, provide some fun experiences, and help her gain confidence, but ultimately we were friends.

One of the biggest challenges for us since she arrived in Denver has been figuring out how to add in the element of guardianship to our relationship. Instead of relying on Rakeb's parents to set boundaries, Amanda and I have had to take on that responsibility. Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it doesn't.

It has been a surreal experience to be learning how to parent a toddler and a teenager at the same time. I have grown to a point where I am able to view challenging times in a positive light, and I sense that I am learning valuable life lessons. Hopefully I understand more fully what they are at some point.

Saturday Breakfast aka time to reconnect as friends

Ethiopian Dinners

If Rakeb goes back to Ethiopia next year, there is a slim chance that the schools there will give her credit for her time in the US. Thus she would still have two years of High School to complete upon returning. We understood this coming in, but still believed that her goal of attending college in the United States would be more attainable with this experience under her belt. 

What we failed to realize is that there are options for her to stay in a US high school for more than 1 year and graduate here. This was something that her school counselor informed us of after Rakeb arrived, and we have been learning about the logistics over the past couple months. Long story short, she has to transfer to a private school next year, so we have been filling out her application, tracking down letters of recommendation, and starting the process of raising funds to pay for another year.

Instead of Amanda and I sending out letters asking for donations this time around, we are empowering Rakeb to be lead the charge. Once or twice each month Rakeb has been hosting a group of friends who give a minimum donation of $10 to learn more about Ethiopian culture by having Rakeb cook traditional Ethiopian meals and preparing a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. It has been a huge success and through the first three dinners she has raised over $500! 

Rakeb filling coffee cups with a clay coffee pot

Hope

Rakeb is definitely still a teenager in many ways, but there are also numerous instances where she surprises me by making statements well beyond her years.

We were talking about tattoos a while back. When I asked Rakeb what she would do if she got a tattoo, she said that all she would want is the word "Hope" on her wrist. I asked her why, and she said that hope is what has inspired her to push herself, to take chances, and to keep a positive outlook on life despite many difficult challenges she has already faced in her life.

Here is to hoping that she continues to make the most of her opportunities!

Back on Track

So much has happened since the last post, so attempting to write it out would be nearly impossible. Let's just say that life got busy, so here is a photo blog to try and catch you up so we can get back on track with more regular posts...

1st Trick-or-Treating experience for Rakeb & Levi. Levi is a dinosaur and Rakeb is a vampire.

Rakeb cooking for a fundraising dinner to help her pay for staying here for her senior year. So far she has had three dinners and raised over $500!

Hiking in Estes Park. Someone is cold.

Rakeb's first 2-page essay. The smile is more about being done with it. 

Getting ready for her 2nd homecoming dance. Peli is confused.

Photos before her 1st homecoming dance

First time seeing snow!

First Rockies game

1st time playing mini-golf

Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park

FUN Concert at Red Rocks

Outside of East High School

Back to School

Rakeb started school this week! She has a challenging schedule with two English classes, Advanced Biology, Advanced Algebra, US History, Spanish, and Photography. It appears that the biggest challenge for her so far has been adjusting to starting school at 7:30am. I know that I would be completely useless at that hour in an Advanced Algebra class. She is loving the fact that her teachers actually care about her, and go out of their way to make sure she understands each lesson. This is drastically different than what she was accustomed to in Ethiopia.

Fun concert at Red Rocks

1st Day of School

She's Here!!!

Rakeb is here! After 30+ hours of travel she arrived in Denver on Monday, August 12^th. She’s had a whirlwind first week with registering for classes, seeing Ben Harper in concert, meeting tons of people, and adjusting to American culture among many other things.

One of the highlights has been a trip she took to Colorado Springs this past weekend. She and the other seven Amicus exchange students living in Colorado got together for an orientation weekend. Orientation is often equated with boredom, but that wasn’t the case this time. It was held at a castle in the mountains! She got to experience hiking, make many new friends, and see a new part of beautiful Colorado.

We are trying to make sure she enjoys the last bit of summer before starting school on August 26^th, so this week we will see Fun in concert, go to a BBQ contest, and do some more shopping!

Thanks again to everyone for making this possible! More updates to come soon!!!

On our way to see Ben Harper

Almost here!

A week from today Rakeb will board an airplane for the first time in her life! 30 hours later she will arrive in Denver, and a new chapter of her life will begin. Thanks to an outpouring of generous donations, she will arrive to a room filled with school supplies, gift cards, and other items that will help tremendously as she adjusts to living in the United States. THANK YOU!

Rakeb’s summer has already been full of experiences! The two that stand out the most are…

1)   Moving into their new home. It is a much larger and newer space than their previous home, but much further away from their family and friends.

2)   After 4 years away, Rakeb’s father returned to Ethiopia to visit his family! He will be there until Rakeb departs, and this time has been invaluable for Rakeb.

We can’t wait to begin sharing more photos and stories of her experience in the U.S.! Rakeb is SOOOOO excited to meet you all!

Now what...

After so much effort and constant to-do's to make Rakeb's trip over here possible, we are still trying to come to grips with the fact that there isn't much to do right now. In fact I bothered one of our Amicus contacts while she was on vacation just to double check.

I could write more, but it would just be for the sake of writing. Thus, I will allow you to get outside and enjoy the beautiful summer.

Keep checking for big updates, but it might get quiet until she gets here in August.

Until next time, enjoy this beautiful view of the Ethiopian countryside. 

Not quite what you expected huh? 

Final Decision

Rakeb and Aaron went to the US Embassy in Addis Ababa on Monday. Her 7am visa interview was "easy" according to Rakeb and she answered the questions appropriately. After dreaming of, practicing for, and simultaneously stressing out about this day for so long, Rakeb got her answer from the US Consular at the end of the interview. SHE GOT THE VISA!!!

Thank you all so much for all of the support, prayers, and hard work that has helped to make this day possible. It never would have happened without all of you! Moving forward we are now solely tasked with logistical items. The visa must be paid for, the plane ticket must be bought, final details must be worked out with Amicus and East High School. All of this is minor compared to being awarded the visa though, and no hitches are visible moving forward.

We'll continue to make bi-weekly blog posts to keep you up to date on where everything stands, and to help you get more aquatinted to Rakeb. Hopefully you'll all have the chance to meet her soon!

Rakeb's smile in this picture doesn't come close to capturing the excitement in her voice these days!

(Bunny ears courtesy of her sister)

Pushed Back, A Special Visit, Shoes

Process

We’ve all waited so long for Rakeb’s visa interview! Now we have to wait a little longer. Rakeb received a phone call late last week from the embassy stating that her interview got moved to May 6^th. Hopefully this just means that she will have more time to practice and be prepared for it. So we’ll continue to keep you posted on how it goes, and hopefully we will be able to tell you that she is good to go next week!

Rakeb

Rakeb’s father, who I mentioned in a previous post, appears to be planning a trip back to Ethiopia soon! If everything goes according to his plan, he will be spending 2 to 3 months with his family this summer. I have talked with both Rakeb and Akleysia recently and they are both so excited for him to be back for a while. It has been 3 or 4 years since they have seen him last, so this would be such a boost to both of them.

Street vendors sell corn on the cob for about $0.15. Be aware that the culturally acceptable way to eat it is by plucking off one kernel at a time with your fingers.

Ethiopia

Did you know that supposedly the only “fair trade” shoemaker in the world is in Ethiopia? An amazing Ethiopian woman, Bethlehem, founded the company by using old car tire rubber for the soles of the shoes, organic cotton for the rest of the shoes, and started paying local workers a fair wage for their time and effort. This company is now being talked about worldwide and becoming a huge success! Check it out at www.solerebelsfootwear.co . 

Ethiopia uses a different electrical current than we do in the U.S. When you don't take the proper precautions your electrical devices blow up... such as my hair trimmer. 

12 Days, National Exam, & 50 Cents

Process

12 more days until her interview at the US Embassy!

Rakeb

Rakeb is not only preparing for her visa interview. When students complete 10^th grade, they must take a national exam. If they pass the exam they can move on to 11^th grade. If not, they must redo 10^th grade and take the test again the following year. Just a little pressure on Rakeb this month…

Rakeb smelling soap that is handmade by survivors of human trafficking.

Ethiopia

I work for an organization in Boulder, Colorado called iEmpathize. We work hard to prevent human trafficking, rescue children who are trapped in human trafficking, and restore survivors of human trafficking. This is an issue in the United States, Mexico, Canada, etc. Really in every country! Ethiopia is no different. After 9pm on the road I walked to reach my apartment each day, the shops would close and young women would appear in front of the metal bars protecting the shop door. These girls stand outside in the rainy 40-degree weather with no umbrella, waiting for drunk men to leave the bars and desire “company”. Some may try to argue differently, but to me there is no way that a young woman would willingly do this. It only gets worse when you learn how much these girls are selling their bodies for, 10 Ethiopian Birr, or the equivalent of about $0.50 or $0.60. 

This beautiful hotel courtyard is where I spent much of my time in rural Ethiopia. Unfortunately European members of the United Nations' World Food Program stayed here as well and supported human trafficking by buying women that are forced to have sex against their will.